1968 Election (The Hearse at Monticello)

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Renominated by the American Party after a long and bruising primary campaign, President Barry Goldwater now heads towards the general election with the lone consolation that his Populist opponent, Senator George McGovern of South Dakota, is hardly any better off. Despite predictions of an uneventful primary season, both Goldwater and McGovern were forced to endure scathing criticism and vicious attacks in their quest for their parties' nominations, with the result that neither of the major party candidates enters the fall campaign with a decisive advantage over the other.

The contrast between Goldwater and McGovern could not be greater. While Goldwater represents the "militant conservative" wing of the American Party, having spent the last four years fighting to repeal much of the federal welfare state, McGovern has taken the opposite approach, calling for new programs to combat poverty and expand economic opportunities. McGovern has also bucked the party establishment in calling for new environmental regulations, though he has been careful to balance this with support for "the plight of the American farmer". On the subject of Cuba, the two candidates are even further apart: while Goldwater promising to commit more resources to the war, McGovern has termed the war a failure and is calling for an immediate withdrawal of all troops from the island nation.

Though the fervor imbued in the arguments of the president and his challenger have excited activists in the two parties, their extremism has left moderate voters dissatisfied. Unwilling to support either Goldwater or McGovern, these centrists have rallied instead to Michigan Governor George Romney's independent campaign. A life-long member of the American Party, Romney supported Goldwater's general election campaign four years ago, but has since grown disillusioned by the president's policies, especially the Cuban War. Unwilling to support Goldwater for a second term and equally distrustful of McGovern's economic policies, Romney agreed to launch his own campaign for the presidency following Robert F. Kennedy's defeat in the American Party primary. With former Pennsylvania Governor William Scranton as his running mate, Romney is running on a centrist platform calling for new environmental regulations, a moderate fiscal policy, and an end to the war in Cuba. Though opposed to a large-scale expansion of the welfare state, Romney has likewise promised to maintain most domestic programs, so long as they do not expand the federal deficit.

Go.

[TDAS04]

McGovern!

[Antonio the Sixth]

McGovern/Sanford would be one of the greatest tickets in US history.

[VPH]

McGovern. I've dreamed of this glorious day.

[Mr. Smith]

Unexpected, but Romney.

[Illuminati Blood Drinker]

Come home, America!

[Zioneer]

Unexpected, but Romney.

Yeah, gotta go with Romney. I imagine Mormons were way more into civil rights at this point though, since it happened earlier.

[tmthforu94]

Romney is the best choice - voting to bring moderation and common sense policies back to Washington.

[CapoteMonster]

Come home, America!

I will halt the senseless bombing of great Havana on inaugural day!

[Potus]

Ugh, I voted Goldwater before I read who the independent was.

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Goldwater, let's destroy the world!

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Unexpected, but Romney.

Yeah, gotta go with Romney. I imagine Mormons were way more into civil rights at this point though, since it happened earlier.

Smith didn't die, so I'd imagine the priesthood ban for black people was delayed or possibly nonexistent.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Don't screw this again, Atlas.

[Zioneer]

Unexpected, but Romney.

Yeah, gotta go with Romney. I imagine Mormons were way more into civil rights at this point though, since it happened earlier.

Smith didn't die, so I'd imagine the priesthood ban for black people was delayed or possibly nonexistent.

Nice, can we exchange our world for this one?

In any case, though I voted for George Romney out of loyalty to a pretty great guy, I'm rooting for McGovern. Hope he wins.

[Türkisblau]

Unexpected, but Romney.

The Populists finally go environmentalist for you and you defect because of a damn Mormon!? Curse you, Mormy!

[Zioneer]

So... McGovern won?

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

1968 Presidential Election

Senator George McGovern (People's-South Dakota)/ Governor Terry Sanford (People's-North Carolina): 402 Electoral Votes; 40.9% popular votes
Governor George Romney (Independent-Michigan)/ Fmr. Governor William Scranton (Independent-Pennsylvania): 71 Electoral Votes; 27.3% popular votes
President Barry Goldwater (American-Arizona)/ Vice President Margaret Chase Smith (American-Maine): 65 Electoral Votes; 31.8% popular votes

With the American Party split between Goldwater and Romney and the president's approval ratings plummeting following an unsuccessful offensive against the Cubans at San Juan Hill, Senator George McGovern was able to score a landslide victory in the general election, carrying 36 of the 50 states and making inroads in the traditionally American northeast. Governor Romney, meanwhile, would poll a close third in the popular vote and ran second in the electoral vote, handing Goldwater and his supporters a stunning rebuke.

Popular Vote Results

[Illuminati Blood Drinker]

Welcome home, America!

[Boston Bread]

I forgot to vote in this, but thankfully McGovern won without me.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Welcome home, America!

[tmthforu94]

A split was necessary for the future of the American Party - hope this election brings us back towards the center.